Judiciary launches photo gallery

By David Odongo

Nairobi, Kenya: The Kenyan Judiciary has launched a Judiciary Museum to chronicle the institution’s rich heritage. 

The Judiciary Museum, to be based at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi, was launched last weekend during a photo exhibition titled The Judiciary, Journey Through Time.

The partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), which was initiated mid last year, has seen  the Judiciary Museum set up in the basement of the Supreme Court building, formerly used as police cells.

The Museum Project is anchored on Pillar 1, on “People-Centredness and Public Engagement” of the Judiciary Transformation Framework, and purposes to chronicle and preserve the rich heritage of the Judiciary. “The Photo Exhibition is a key milestone in the three-year project towards the establishment of the Museum.

“The Photo Exhibition chronicles the history and heritage of the institution from pre-colonial times to the present,” said the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Gladys Shollei. 

She said that the exhibition explores the evolution of Kenya’s justice systems, explains the features of the Judiciary, gives a chronology of Chief Justices, de-mystifies the Kenyan court system and features a timeline of historic events that have shaped the Judiciary.

“A beautiful, intriguing collections and a strong evocation of Kenya’s Judiciary’s past. It is thoroughly enjoyable,” remarked the Director General of the National Museums of Kenya, Dr Idle Farah.

The photo exhibition chronicles, amongst others, the country’s Chief Justices dating back from the colonial period.

Other pictures are for all the 14 Post-Independence Chief Jutices from Sir John Ainley, who presided over the swearing in of the founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, to the current CJ Willy Mutunga.

Ms Shollei  added: “I was really overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm of the Judiciary staff in making this event a success, who are very knowledgeable about the specifics of the collection. It was fantastic to see the judges’ genuine excitement and surprise as they explored the fascinating collections.”

“The Judiciary Museum offers an entirely different experience to other visitor attractions across the country, it really is a jewel in the country’s cultural crown and I am so pleased we have had the opportunity to share what the museum has to offer with the public,” said Mr Shikhutuli Namusyule,the Judiciary’s Principal Public Communication Officer.